What is an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)?
An IRWMP is a voluntary and comprehensive non-regulatory planning document prepared on a region-wide scale that identifies broadly-supported priority water resources projects and programs with multiple benefits. An IRWMP relies upon specific and focused local and sub-regional planning efforts for its foundation, and investigates a broad spectrum of water resources issues including water supply, flood management, water quality, environmental restoration, recreation, land use, environmental justice, stakeholder involvement, and far-reaching community and statewide interests. A key difference in IRWMPs (as compared to other planning documents) is that IRWMPs integrate multiple water management strategies to solve multiple priority challenges. IRWMPs can help attract state and other funding to fund regional projects. Millions of dollars have been allocated for IRWMPs by the state through Propositions 50 and 84. Grants are awarded through the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
